In the presence of Secretary General International Telecommunications Union, Houlin Zhao and Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom, Anusha Rahman Khan; the official inauguration ceremony of Jazz National Incubation Center (NIC) was held in Islamabad at the National Information Technology Board (NITB) yesterday.
Some notable representatives also graced the event that includes the CEO of Mobilink, Aamir Ibrahim; Chairman PTA, Dr. Syed Ismail Shah and Secretary IT and Telecom, Rizwan Bashir.
While speaking on the occasion, Anusha Rahman stated:
“NIC has been strategically designed to be an effective tool to foster economic growth through innovation. The government is alive to the aspirations of the youth, and the Ministry of IT is endeavoring to ensure that adequate support is provided to young talent to realize their ideas. This initiative is pursuant to the vision of the Government of Pakistan, which endeavors to foster Entrepreneurship Led Growth”
Chairman PTA and CEO of National ICT R&D Fund Dr. Syed Ismail Shah said that the NIC will effectively link talent, technology, and capital in order to accelerate the development of new businesses and commercialization of technology. He further added:
“National ICT R&D Fund is committed to bringing about a tech revolution in Pakistan by motivating academia and industry to perform research and develop state-of-art technologies and software. The fund believes in efficient mobilization of its resources with an emphasis on achieving technical excellence for the economic growth”
Secretary General International Telecommunications Union Houlin Zhao stated that the National Incubation Center initiative will go a long way in providing the necessary impetus to drive economic growth through innovation in the ICT sector of Pakistan. Moreover, he added:
“ICT entrepreneurs and start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a particularly relevant role in ensuring economic growth in a sustainable and inclusive manner. They are involved in the development of innovative ICT-enabled solutions with a unique potential to make a long-lasting impact in economies and as an important source of new jobs, especially for youth, in the current knowledge economy. ITU Theme for 2016 is ‘ICT entrepreneurship for social impact’; and I am glad that Pakistan is making tangible efforts in honoring the global focus of the ITU”
Establishment of the National Incubation Center and its objectives
One of the primary goals behind the development of the incubator is that it will enhance the government’s vision to a digital Pakistan. National ICT Research and Development Fund has financed the incubator. Under the unique Mobilink sponsored ‘Jazz XLR8 Program’, the state-of-the-art incubation center will help to cultivate and foster talent from all over Pakistan.
Besides providing high-tech and advanced incubation facilities and access to experts and advisors, the program also intents to bridge the gap between investors, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Mobilink will be operating this superlative incubator with its service delivery partner Team Up. Seasoned industry pros Zouhair Khaliq and Pervaiz Abbasi will bring all their expertise to lead the operations.
A lot of potential ahead
CEO of Moblink, Aamir Ibrahim said that this state-of-the-art incubator coupled with Mobilink and VimpelCom’s decades of combined international and local market experience provides Pakistani youth an opportunity to let the world know about the immense potential they possess and how they are to use this potential in bringing positive changes in the society. He further commented:
“It gives us immense pleasure to be partnering with the Government for this initiative since we both share a common goal in ensuring Pakistan becomes a key player in today’s digital economy. Through this partnership, we shall not only be able to provide resources and expertise to enable young entrepreneurs to fulfill their potential, but also strengthen our existing economy by way of job creation, and development of innovative ICT-enabled solutions. By helping young entrepreneurs, we are looking to galvanize communities they belong to, and the broader economy”
Do you think high-tech incubator will bring about positive change in the society as predicted by the experts?
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